May 22nd 2010

Truly, the images from your wedding are the lasting elements of your day.  Photos of your precious day will live on and be passed down through the generations of your loved ones. When all the champagne is poured, the cake is eaten and a drunken Uncle Fred is peeled off the dance floor and carried home in a wheel barrel, your images will be the tangible visions of your special day.  That said, should you spend all your time with the photographer and none with your family and loved ones?  No, of course not. With some planning and a considerate and efficient photographer, your pictures can be taken quickly with a minimal amount of time lost with your guests.

When planning the events of your day with your coordinator or photographer, designate as many images with the family and bridal party prior to the ceremony as possible.  The time leading up to the ceremony can be hectic and planning these shots may be a challenge, but gathering as many photos ahead of time will save you time and headache after you say "I do".  Have the bridal party shots taken ahead of time, all the bridesmaids with the bride and the groomsmen with the groom and include the families in these shots as well.  After the ceremony, the main images will be the bride and groom together with their respective families and then the bridal party.  Be sure your photographer spends some time with just you and your groom and take some unposed, creative shots incorporating your surroundings.  During this time, have the caterer bring champagne, for the ladies, beer for the men and snacks for the bridal party to enjoy and refuel. Be sure to grab a bite yourself as you may not see food again for a few hours.  A cocktail hour should be scheduled for your guests during this time period and be sure to account for your attendance at the cocktail hour as well.

Do not be afraid to photograph yourself with your groom prior to the ceremony.  Ask your photographer for a private meeting with your groom just before the ceremony begins.  Be sure that no one else knows this is happening so they do not try to participate in the pictures (think overbearing mother of the bride here).  Be sure your bridesmaids are aware though, you may need a little support if the emotions are overwhelming.  Your bridesmaids will also be the gatekeepers to ensure that its just you and your groom for the next few minutes.  Ask that your photographer just step into the background and photograph your initial seeing of one another and your moments together as a quiet observer and ask that they not plan or pose any of the shots.

Another consideration when hiring your photographer is whether or not they shoot video as well.  In today's merging media platforms, photographers now have the capabilities of shooting video as well, all using the same camera.  If you want some video of your day, but do not need to actually watch the entire, and rather long, video of your ceremony and reception, consider hiring a photographer who incorporates both using a multimedia approach to documenting your day.  Also bear in mind that with these new technologies emerging and being used by videographers as well as photographers, if you hire both video and photo professionals to document your day, you are likely to have three to five people filming you, all day and all using the same cameras.  That is slightly beyond overkill and will effect the emotions and flow of your special day.  Finding someone who can document both photo and small amounts of video presented in a multimedia DVD or online video using only a couple cameras and possibly an assistant may save your wedding day from becoming a paparazzi trainwreck.

article by Crystal Street
photos by Julie Dreelin and Lauren Cowart of Julie Dreelins Photography/Videography Inc.
vendors: thesanderling.com,sugarsnapevents.com

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